Cricket

Ahead of India's crucial Super Eights clash against Bangladesh in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, former West Indies legend Brian Lara has expressed confidence in the Indian opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Lara believes that the experienced duo will deliver a strong performance against Bangladesh, setting the tone for India's knockout stage aspirations.India currently sits in second place in Group 1 of the Super Eights, with a win against Afghanistan and two points. Bangladesh, on the other hand, is at the bottom of the table after losing to Australia. This match is crucial for Bangladesh to keep their Super Eights hopes alive, while India can virtually secure a semifinal berth with a victory.Despite the opening pair's struggles in the tournament so far, Lara remains optimistic about their ability to turn things around. "India is going to be 100 without loss in that match if they bat first, right? And even if they bat second, they are going to be 100 without loss," Lara said.Lara acknowledged the threat posed by Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, but he believes that Rohit and Kohli's experience will prove too much for the opposition. "Of course, Fizz (Mustafizur) is an amazing bowler. He is going to come out and threaten, but I just feel that India is just too much," Lara said.Lara also praised the opening pair's overall quality, emphasizing their status as two of the best T20I players in the world. "I think it (Rohit-Virat pair) is going to give India that impetus that is needed going into the back end of the tournament of the semi-finals and the finals," Lara said.While the tournament has been dominated by bowlers, Lara believes that India's opening partnership can provide the necessary impetus for the team's success. "This World Cup is a World Cup where no team is very dominant because of the state of the pitches. But if India can solve the opening problem, and it is not a problem, it is the two best T20 players in the world, they are not going to run right now," Lara concluded.

Indian Cricket Team's Title Drought: Fear of Failure a Major Factor, Says Ian SmithFormer New Zealand cricketer Ian Smith has attributed the Indian cricket team's inability to win major titles to a deep-seated fear of failure. Despite their immense talent and skill, Team India has not secured an ICC trophy since 2013, leaving fans and experts perplexed.Smith, who played 63 Tests and 148 ODIs for New Zealand, empathized with the Indian team, acknowledging the immense pressure they face. According to him, fear of failure is a significant factor in sports, especially in cricket. He highlighted the unique burden that the Indian team carries, playing under the weight of unparalleled expectations."Fear of failure is a massive thing in sport. Pressure is a big thing. Being able to handle the big occasion. I mean, I don't think any team in the world, or cricket in particular, plays with as much pressure on their shoulders as the Indian cricket team," Smith was quoted as saying by PTI.The constant need for victory makes every day a challenge for the Indian players, intensifying the already high stakes of international cricket. The team's journey is laden with expectations and scrutiny, making it a tough mental battle for the players."The expectation... desire from the population for the team to win almost every game. Every day you get out of bed you have to win. It's a tough thing to have to bear," Smith added.The fear of failure and the pressure to constantly perform at their best loom large, hindering Team India's quest for major titles. Despite their struggles, the team continues to strive for success, hoping to overcome these mental barriers and fulfill the dreams of millions of fans worldwide.

Gautam Gambhir Calls for ICC to Reassess Two New Balls Rule in Limited Overs CricketFormer Indian opener Gautam Gambhir has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to reconsider the rule allowing two new balls in limited overs cricket. Gambhir believes the regulation is "unfair" to finger spinners and has diminished the art of reverse swing.In 2011, the ICC introduced the use of two new balls in ODIs, a move that was met with criticism from some quarters. Gambhir echoed these concerns, stating that the rule has disadvantaged finger spinners and reduced their opportunities in white-ball cricket."It is very unfair for finger spinners, who are not playing enough white-ball cricket because there is nothing for them," Gambhir said. "It is not right."The use of two new balls has also impacted reverse swing, as the ball maintains its shine for a longer duration. This has made it more difficult for bowlers to generate reverse swing, a skill that was once a key weapon in limited overs cricket."There is no reverse swing anymore because of the two new balls, and there is nothing for finger spinners or left-arm spinners," Gambhir added.Gambhir, who recently mentored the Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title, believes the ICC should reassess the rule to ensure a fair balance between bat and ball."Taking that opportunity away from certain players is very unfair," he said. "Today, you hardly see any finger spinners playing white-ball cricket. Why? The blame lies not with them, but with the ICC."Gambhir also praised the leadership of MS Dhoni, under whom he enjoyed his most successful years in international cricket."I had my best performance under Anil Kumble and I had my phase under MS Dhoni, and the longest I played was under MS," he said. "I enjoyed playing a lot with MS and the way he led the team."

England vs South Africa: Super Eight Clash in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 is heating up, and Super Eight - Match 5 promises to be a thrilling encounter between two cricketing powerhouses: England and South Africa. Scheduled for June 21 at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia, this match will be a crucial test for both teams as they vie for a spot in the semifinals.England enters the match with momentum on their side, having secured an impressive eight-wicket victory over West Indies in their Super Eight opener. South Africa, too, has shown their mettle, emerging victorious against the USA by 18 runs.The last time these two teams faced off in a T20I was in July 2022, during South Africa's tour of England. David Willey and Tabraiz Shamsi were the standout performers for their respective teams, showcasing their exceptional skills.Head-to-Head RecordIn their 25 previous T20I encounters, England's bowlers have generally outperformed South Africa's, contributing the most fantasy points. However, South Africa's batters have been the primary point earners for their side. This match will be a true test of both teams' strengths and weaknesses.Key Players to WatchEngland:* Philip Salt: A top-order right-handed batter and wicketkeeper, Salt has been in impressive form, scoring 147 runs in his last five matches. His ability to score quickly at the top will be crucial for England.* Adil Rashid: England's leg-break bowler, Rashid has taken six wickets in his last five matches. His knack for taking wickets in the middle overs makes him a key player for England's bowling attack.* Sam Curran: A versatile all-rounder, Curran has scored 91 runs and taken four wickets in his last five matches. His contributions with both bat and ball will be vital for England's success.South Africa:* Ottneil Baartman: A right-arm medium-fast bowler, Baartman has been impressive with eight wickets in his last five games at an average of 11.6. His ability to strike early will be crucial for South Africa.* Tristan Stubbs: A right-handed batter, Stubbs has shown potential with scores of 20, 27, 0, 33, and 13 in his last five matches. His middle-order stability will be important for South Africa.* Tabraiz Shamsi: A slow left-arm chinaman bowler, Shamsi has taken six wickets in his last four matches at an average of 15.8. His spin bowling will be key in restricting England's scoring rate.PredictionBoth England and South Africa are evenly matched, and this match promises to be a close contest. England's strong batting lineup and experienced bowling attack give them a slight edge, but South Africa's determination and home advantage cannot be underestimated. The outcome of this match will likely hinge on the performances of key players like Salt, Rashid, Baartman, and Shamsi.

Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting recently presented the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy to Pat Cummins, the current Test and ODI captain of Australia, in recognition of his exceptional achievements as the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year 2023.Cummins enjoyed a remarkable 2023, leading Australia to victory in both the ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship. He also retained the Ashes urn with a drawn series in England.In addition to his captaincy success, Cummins was also a standout performer on the field. He finished as the sixth-highest wicket-taker across all formats in 2023, and was second only to teammate Nathan Lyon in the wicket-takers list in Tests. Cummins also made valuable contributions with the bat, including a crucial knock in the Edgbaston Test and useful cameos in the World Cup against Afghanistan and South Africa.Ponting praised Cummins' achievements, saying, "It gives me great pleasure to present the ICC Men's International Cricketer of the Year 2023 to none other than Australian Test and One-day captain Pat Cummins. Congratulations buddy, very well deserved, a magnificent year for you and for your team."The International Cricket Council (ICC) shared a video of the presentation on their Instagram handle, showcasing the moment when Ponting handed over the trophy to Cummins.Cummins' success is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and leadership skills. He has established himself as one of the most respected and successful cricketers in the world, and his achievements in 2023 have further cemented his legacy.

Afghanistan's chase of India's imposing 182-run target in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 match got off to a shaky start as they lost three wickets within the first six overs.Jasprit Bumrah, India's pace spearhead, struck twice in his opening spell to leave Afghanistan reeling at 28/3. Bumrah's first wicket was that of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who was caught behind for 13 after mistiming a slower delivery.Bumrah then dismissed Hazratullah Zazai for a duck, inducing an edge that was safely taken by Ravindra Jadeja at point. Axar Patel, India's left-arm spinner, joined the party by trapping Ibrahim Zadran leg before wicket for 0.Afghanistan's top order collapse left them in a precarious position, with the onus now on Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai to rebuild the innings. However, the Indian bowlers maintained a tight line and length, making it difficult for the Afghan batters to score freely.Naib and Omarzai managed to add 28 runs for the fourth wicket before Naib was dismissed by Patel for 14. Omarzai remained unbeaten on 15, but Afghanistan's chase was dealt a further blow when Zadran was caught at extra cover off the bowling of Bumrah.With Afghanistan struggling at 61/6 after 10 overs, the task of chasing down India's total seemed insurmountable. The Indian bowlers continued to dominate, with Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami sharing the remaining wickets.In the end, Afghanistan were bowled out for 102, falling short of their target by 80 runs. Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/17, while Patel claimed 2/18.

India's batting woes in the USA leg of the ICC T20 World Cup have raised concerns, but former all-rounder Robin Singh believes a change in conditions in the Super Eights in the West Indies could provide a boost.Captain Rohit Sharma and star player Virat Kohli have struggled to find form, with Sharma scoring just one significant innings of 52 against Ireland and Kohli managing only 1, 4, and 0 in the three matches.However, Singh is optimistic that the duo will come together for a strong opening partnership in Barbados, where Australia previously recorded a score above 200."I don't think that's really an issue, and it's not only Virat and Rohit. I think everyone who has opened innings in every team really struggled in the conditions provided during the World Cup so far," Singh said."But I think this is a different format. I mean, they have three games to play. They know exactly where they stand. These guys are seasoned and top of the line players. So, I'm pretty sure one of them is going to deliver. If not both, to be honest. It'd be nice to see both of them actually putting a really good partnership together."Singh also highlighted the importance of having a left-hander in the top three, which India has in Rishabh Pant."I've always advocated that you have a left-hander in the top three, even if he's not an opener. So, that makes a huge difference. If you see most of the bowlers, they're right-arm bowlers. They're not left-arm bowlers, so it changes the line totally. In T20, most people struggle a little bit with the lines if you have left and right combinations."Singh also cautioned against underestimating Afghanistan, who have a strong bowling attack led by left-arm fast-bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi, the tournament's leading wicket-taker."No, I don't think you can underestimate the Afghanistan team. Their bowlers have done very well. Farooqi has been bowling really well and they have a couple of seasoned fast bowlers as well. But I think in general, they have been a pretty confident team.""So, they are probably the dark horses of the tournament. So, it's really important to be at the top of the game against them, and you have to expect everyone to deliver. So, you can't take anyone for granted."

The ICC's partnership with UNICEF to empower girls through cricket faces a stark contrast with the Taliban's suppression of women's rights in Afghanistan. While the Afghanistan men's cricket team has achieved remarkable success, the country's women are denied basic freedoms.The ICC's dilemma lies in balancing its commitment to gender equality with the potential consequences of banning Afghanistan for violating its charter. The Taliban's allowance of men's cricket is a calculated move to appease Pakhtun men, a source of their power.However, the Taliban's sensitivity to international perception suggests that cricket embargos could have an impact. By turning its back on the Afghanistan men's team, the ICC would not only punish the players but also send a strong message to the Taliban.The situation echoes the Apartheid era in South Africa, where many talented cricketers were denied international careers due to the racist policies of the government. While the role of cricket in the fall of Apartheid is debatable, it undoubtedly contributed to the pressure on the regime.Today, South Africa faces challenges in implementing transformation targets in its sports teams, highlighting the ongoing tensions between politics and sport. The Afghanistan situation presents a similar dilemma, where a response must be both effective and politically feasible.As consumers of the sport, we have a responsibility to inform the direction taken by governing bodies. By understanding the complexities of the situation, we can contribute to a solution that balances the pursuit of gender equality with the potential consequences for the Afghanistan men's cricket team.

Marcus Stoinis Ascends to Top of ICC T20I All-Rounder RankingsMarcus Stoinis of Australia has emerged as the world's leading all-rounder in the latest ICC T20I rankings, dethroning Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi. Stoinis's exceptional performances in the ongoing T20 World Cup, where he has claimed six wickets and made significant contributions with the bat, have propelled him to the summit of the standings.Nabi, the former top-ranked all-rounder, has slipped three places to fourth position, behind Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga and Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan, who have ascended to second and third positions, respectively.The rankings also reflect the impressive displays of West Indies' bowlers in the tournament. Akeal Hosein has soared six positions to become the second-ranked bowler, trailing only England's Adil Rashid. Alzarri Joseph has climbed six spots to 11th place, while Gudakesh Motie has surged 16 places to 13th.West Indies' wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran has also made significant strides, jumping eight places to 11th. Additionally, Sherfane Rutherford has climbed 43 places to 42nd.India's Suryakumar Yadav remains unchallenged as the top-ranked batter in the T20 format. Phil Salt, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan maintain their positions as the second, third, and fourth-ranked batters, respectively.